Method and apparatus for handling photographic prints



Feb. 24, 1931. DYE 1,794,003

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PHOTOGRAFHIC PRINTS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 9, 1 2

GLEN M. DYE 5r HIS ,9 fro/mus Feb. 24, 1931. G. M. DYE 1,794,003

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS Filed Feb 9, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2" 1 INVE/YTU/i. GLEN M. DYE. 5) H15 flTTOfi/VEYS.

Patentecl Feb. 24, 1931 i g GLEN n. DYE, or ummroms, nmnuso'rai METHOD APPARATUS FOR HANDL ING PHOTOGRAIHIC PRINTS Application filed February This invention relates to amethod and apparatus for handling photographic prints and particularly to a washing and fixing method and apparatus for handling such s prints. While some mechanical means have been proposed, it has heretofore been the common practice to take the prints by hand from the developing solution and place the same in the fixing solution, then to take the prints 10 from the fixing solution b hand and place them in the washing liqui and then'subsequently to remove said prints by hand from the washing liquid. It has also beenacommon practice to wash the prints in a receptacle to which washing liquid was constantly sup plied, said receptacle having an overflow means therein. This method is objectionable as the water in the receptacle is never com- I pletely changed or renewed and said practice requires a generous supply of water and is quite wasteful of water. It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a method consisting in placing the prints in an openwork print supporting device, which device is disposed in a receptacle containing a suitable solution, such as a developer arresting solution, then transferring said print supporting device with the prints thereimby a suitable handlemeans to a receptacle containing a 'rint fixing solution and then, after a suita 1e period, transfer:

ring said print supporting device and prints to a receptacle containing a washing liquid, and after a suitableperiod, removing said print supporting device and prints from said last mentioned receptacle whereby the prints are quickly transferred in hatches without being touched by the operator and without the operators hands coming in contact with said solution or liquid.

It isa further object of the invention to provide a print fixing device in which the prints and fixing solution are positively moved and the prints efliciently fixed.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a print washing device in which the. prints are supported, positively moved andefiiciently and conveniently washed.

It is a further object of the invent1on to 59 provide a print washing device movable to 9, 1925. Serial No. 7,827;

cause motion of the liquid and prints there, in together with means for periodically changing the washing liquid to provide a charge offresh li uid.

It is another 0 ject of the invention to i provide a print washing device comprising a receptacle movable to cause motion of the prints and liquid therein, .to ether with means operated by the motion 0 said.receptacle for periodically draining the, liquid 60 from said receptacle. 1 r

It is still another object of the invention to provide a print washing or fixing device comv prising a movable receptacle having a print supporting device therein, said receptacle and supporting device being constructed to 've an efiicient movement of the liquid and prints E; that the same are efiiciently washed, or

e g It is also another object of the invention to 7 provide a print washing and g device comprising an oscillating tank, a receptacle supported therein adapted to contain prints and washing liquid and another receptacle disposed in said tank adapted to containa 7 fixing solution, together with means for periodicall discharging the washing liquid from said rst receptacle into said tank from which it is discharged through a suitable outlet whereb said tank is flushed and the temperature 0% said fixing solution controlled.

It is more specifically an object of the in- .vention to provide an oscillating receptacle,

means for supplying liquid thereto, said receptacle having an outlet, a rotatable memher adapted to'open and close said outlet, and means operated by the oscillation of said receptacle for progressively rotating sald member.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanyingdrawings inwhich like characters refer to the same arts throughout the different views, and in w 10b,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the device, a portion thereof being broken away and the other portions shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view ofthe device; Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the device, certain parts being broken away and other parts shown in vertical section; and

Fig. 4- is a partial plan view of the device shown on an enlarged scale, a portion thereof being shown in horizontal section.

Referring to the drawings, an apparatus is shown comprising a base 5 havin leg portions 5a. While this base may be 0 any suitable or desired, form, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the same is shown of substantiallyrectangular shape having legs at the corners thereof. Standards 6 are secured at each side of the base and upstand therefrom, being provided at their upper ends with bearing hubs 6a in which are ]0l1lnaled a pivot shaft 7, said shaft being held from longitudinal movement by collars 8 secured thereto outwardly of bearings 6a, A tank 9 is provided and while this tank may take various forms, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the same is shown as I of rectangular shape with rounded corners and comprising a fiat bottom portion 9a and vertical sides 9?). Brackets 10 and 11 are secured to thebottom 9a and depend adjacent the inner sides of the standards 6 and are provided with apertures through which said shaft 7 passes so that said tank and brackets are pivoted on said shaft. The bracket 11 extends below shaft 7 and is of quadrant form and has pivotally secured thereto the upper end of a link 12,

which link extends downwardly and is bent outwardly away from the standard 6 and then extends substantially vertically, .the lower end thereof being pivotally connected to a crank pin 13a carried by a crank disk 13. The crank disk 13 is secured to one end of a shaft 14 journaled in bearings provided in standard 6 and specifically in a projection 66 thereof which is formed as the housing of a worm wheel gear 15 secured to shaft 14 and which is driven by a worm gear 16. The worm' gear 16 is carried by a shaft 17, likewise j ournaled in the portion 66 of the standard 6 and which has secured to its end a pulley 18 illustrated as of the flanged or grooved type and which is driven by a suitable belt 19 extending to and over the pulley 20 secured to the driving shaft of a motor 21 illustrated as of the electric type. The motor 21 is shown as mounted on a block resting on and secured to the base 5. One end of bracket 11 is pivotally connected to another link 22 which is adapted to extend to an adjacent machine of a similar type and to be pivotally connected to a bracket 23 of said similar machine, which,

corresponds to the bracket 11 of the machine described. i

The tank 9 has secured underneath bottom 9a at opposite side portions thereof stiffening members 24 illustrated as in the form of angle irons. Said tank also has/connected to the upper side of the bottom 9a a plurality elliptical shape having of supporting members 25. The supporting members 25 are adapted to support and hold in position a pair of receptacles 26 and 27, said receptacles being of oblong orgenerally semi-circular or conver ing end portions. The receptacle 26 has a p ural ity of level-determining outlet holes 26a in its end portions and ad acent one of its sides. Said receptacle also has a pair of outlet openings 26b in its bottom disposed at opposite sides of the center thereof, which openings are 'shown as of sector shape in plan. A valve forming disk 28 is disposed below the bottom of receptacle 26 and pivoted to said bottom, to move in close proximity thereto by a pivot 29 disposed substantially centrally of tank 26 and centrally between the openings 26?), a spring being disposed about said pivot engaging the head thereof and thebottom of receptacle 26 to hold disk 28 closely against said bottom. The disk 38 has a pair of oppositely disposed openings 28a shaped similarly to the openings 26b and disposed at substantially the same distance from pivot 29. Said disk 28 is provided with ratchet teeth at its outer edge, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. A bracket 30 illustrated as an offset bar,is secured to one of the standards 6 and has a vertical portion extending along oneside of tank 9 substantially centrally of said side and a'bar 31 is secured to the inner side of bracket 30 and is offset to extend downwardl into tank 9 adjacent the side thereof, sai tank being pro-.

vided with an open-ended slot 9c to accommodate said bar 31. The bar 31 is made of resilient material and projects downward close to and along side of the disk 28 and forms an operating pawl for said disk. The upper end of bracket 30 carries a sleeve or hub 30 adapted to hold the end of a conduit or pipe 32 which may be in the form of a flexible hose and which will be connected to some source of water supply, such as the city mains. The tank 9 is provided with a drain opening connected to a drain pipe 33 which will discharge into or be connected with any suitable dischargemeans, it being noted, as shown in Fig. 2, that the bar or bracket 30 is bent to extend around pipe 33.

Both receptacle 26 and receptacle 27 are adapted to receive print supporting devices and while these might have various forms, in the embodiment of the'invention illustrated the same are shown as comprising oblong or elliptical flat strips 34 shaped to conform to the shape of the receptacles 26 and 27. Said members 34 have extending longitudinallythereof, spaced strips 35 secured to the member 34 and spaced strips 36 are also secured to the members 34 and extend beneath and transversely of the members 35. The members 34 also have secured thereto at their curved end portions spaced upstanding pins 38 and said members 34are also provided at each end with an upstanding bail 37 forming a handle for said print supporting device.

In operating the apparatus disclosed and in carrying out the method of the present invention the pipe 32 will, as stated, be connected to a suitable source of water supply. A suitable print fixing solution will be placed in the tank 27 and the motor 21 will be driven. The motor 21, through. the connections described, will oscillate the tank 9, and hence, the receptacles 26 and 27 about pivot shaft 7. There will be a plurality of print supporting devices comprising members 34 and attached parts and one of these will be disposed in a receptacle containing a solution, such as a developer arresting solution. A receptacle containing-such a solution is generally placed adjacent the developing apparatus in a modern print developing establishment and is commonly referred to as a short stop. The prints will be taken from the developing apparatus when sufficiently developed and dropped into said short stop, or, more properly,-into the print supporting device therein. en a sufiicient number of prints have been placed in said device it will be liftedby its handles 37 and transferred to the receptacle 27. The prints will now be fixed and after they have remained the proper length of time 1n the fixing solution the print supporting deylice will again be lifted by its handles 37 an transferred to receptacle 26, another print supporting device with a new batch of prints being placed in receptacle 27. As the receptacles 26 and 27 oscillate with tank 9, the liquid therein will be moved or will flow from end to end thereof and the prints will be moved along with this liquid, the prints being supported upon the spaced members 35. As the receptacles 26 and 27 are tilted toward one end, the liquid flows or rushes toward said end and the prints tend to move with the liquid. The liquid is deflected by the converging or curved ends of thereceptacles 26 and 27 and a current of liquid is formed moving in a reverse direction substantially centrally of said receptacles. The prints, as a rule, are not so quickly moved that they reach the end of the receptacle in the tilting motion and before they reach the end of the receptacle they are met by the said reverse current of liquid and retarded so that they, as a rule, do not come in contact with the pins 38. The pins 38 are provided so that the prints will be retained in the device if they should move to the ends of the receptacle and it Will be noted that the pins 38 form, in effect, a wall and yet have a very small area of surface with which the prints can contact. As the water flows or rushes from end to end of the receptacles 26 and 27, it meets the sides of the transverse strips 36 and this causes the liquid to rise between the longitudinally extending members 35 so that the prints are lifted from the members 35 and moved with the water free'fr'om said members. A very positive and efiicient motion of the liquid and prints is thus obtained. i

It is desirable to have fresh water on the prints and water is continuously supplied through thepipe 32 and when it reaches the level of overflow opening 26a will pass out therethrough into the drain pipe 33. As tank 9 and receptacle 26 are oscillated, the ratchet disk 28 is moved relatively to bar 31. As the disk moves in bne direction the bar 31 slides or springs'over the point of one of the ratchet teeth but when the disk moves in the opposite direction said bar'31 engages the end of the tooth, as shown in Fig. 4, and said bar being quite rigid in a direction parallel to its flat side, it turns the disk 28 a, distance proportional to the oscillating movement, say for instance, one tooth. The disk 28, therefore, is turned by the movement of receptacle 26. When the openings 28a move into alinement with the openings 266 the liquid in receptacle 26 drains through the openings 26b and 28a and the receptacle is emptied of water, which water flows into tank 9 and out through pipe 33. As the receptacle continues to oscillate, disk 28 continues to turn and openings 28a soon move out of alinement with openings 26b and the latter openings are again closed. A

fresh supply of water then accumulates in the receptacle 26 and is maintained therein completely renewed in receptacle 26 and by means operated by the movement of said receptacle. As the liquid flows out of receptacle 26 it flushes the bottom of tank 9 so that if any fixing solution-has been spilled therein, the same will be washed out of tank9. The water or liquid temporarily rises in tank 9 about receptacle 27 and the temperature of this tank and the fixing solution, therefore, is affected by the water so that the fixing solution is prevented from becoming too warm in hot weather and too cold in very cold weather. It will be noted that the water is delivered by pipe 32 at one side of receptacle 26 and must move substantially across the receptacle to reach the outlet openings 26a which, in practice, will be placed close to the side opposite that in which pipe 32 delivers. It will be noted that the prints are easily and quickly transferred fromthe short stop solution to the fixing solution and thence to the washing liquid and removed from said liquid Without being touched by the hands of the operator and withoutthe hands of the operator coming in contactwith the various solutions or liquids. The prints can, then be transported in the print supporting device to a suitable drying or glazing apparatus.

From the above description it is seen that and apparatus for handling photographic prints, particularly for fixing and washing the same. The method is quite rapid and the apparatus is very simple and requires very little attention. have been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and efficient and to have a high degree'of utility for the purpose intended.

While in the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described, the method and ap paratus have been applied to a photographic print, it is also obvious that the same are applicable to other sensitized photographic sheets, such as films.

It will, of course, be understood, that various changes may be made in the steps and sequence of steps of the process and in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the apparatus without departmg from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device and method capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the novel steps and combinations of steps and in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

[1. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination a movable receptacle adapted to contain said sheets and liquid and agitate the liquid and sheets therein, mechanism for imparting regular movements to said receptacle and means for periodically changing the supply of liq-' uid in said receptacle after several of said movements.

2.'An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a movable receptacle adapted to contain the liquid and sheets, mechanism for moving said receptacle, means for constantly supplying liquid to said receptacle, and means comprising a moving element for periodically discharging the liquid from said receptacle whereby said receptacle is periodically replenished with fresh liquid.

3. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a movable receptacle adapted to contain liquid and sheets. means other than said liquid for moving said receptacle and means operated by the movement of said receptacle for periodically discharging the liquid from said receptacle.

4. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a movable receptacle adapted to contain liq uid and sheets, means other than said liquid for moving said receptacle, said receptacle comprising level determining means for said .liquid, means for constantly supplying said receptacle with liquid, means operated by the movement of said receptacle for periodically discharging the liquid from said receptacle The method and apparatus whereby the supply of liquid in said receptacle is periodically changed or renewed.

5. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a movable receptacle adapted to contain liquid and sheets, means other than said'liquid for moving said receptacle, said receptacle having an outlet means and automatically operating means for periodically opening and closing said outlet.

6. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a movable receptacle adapted to contain liquid and sheets, mechanism for moving said receptacle, means constantly supplying liquid to said receptacle, said receptacle having a level determining means for said liquid and also having a drain outlet, and automatically operating means for periodically opening and closing said drain outlet whereby the liquid in said receptacle is periodically changed.

7. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a movable receptacle adapted to contain liquid and sheets, power driven mechanism for moving said receptacle. means constantly supplying liquid to said movable receptacle, said receptacle having a discharge outlet, and means operated by the movement of said receptacle for periodically opening and closing said discharge outlet.

'8. A print washing machine having in combination, an oscillating receptacle adapted to contain the prints and washing liquid, a pivot shaft between the ends of said receptacle on which it is mounted, mechanism for oscillating said receptacle about the axis of said pivot shaft, a drain valve for said receptacle, and means operated by said oscillation of said receptacle for periodically opening and closing said drain valve.

9. A print washing machine having in combination, a receptacle mounted for oscillation about a transverse axis, means for oscillating said receptacle about said axis to move the liquid and prints therein, said receptacle having a drain outlet, a revoluble member controlling said outlet adapted to open and close the same, and means operated by oscillation of said receptacle for revolving said member.

10. The structure set forth in claim 9. said last mentioned means comprising a ratchet secured to said revoluble member, and a stationary arm for turning said ratchet relatively to which said ratchet is moved by oscillation of said receptacle.

11. A print washing machine having in combination, a movable receptacle adapted to contain prints and liquid and having a drain opening a rcvoluhle member having an opening therein arranged to move into and out of alinement with'said drain opeuing'for draining said receptacle, and means operated by the movement of said receptacle for progressively revolving said. member to periodically drain said receptacle.

12. apparatus for handling photographic prints having combination, a movable receptacle adapted to contain liquid and prints, means for constantly supplying liquid to said receptacle, said receptacle havin a drainopening therein, a revolublemem 1- having an o hing therein, which openings are arrange to move into and out of alinement with said drain opening in the revolution of said member whereby said drain opening is successively opened and closed, and means for progressively revolving said member periodically to drain said tank and replenish the liquid therein. Y

13. The structure set forth in claim 12, said means being operated by the movement of said receptacle.

14. An apparatus for handling photographic prints having in combination, a tank movable about a transverse axis, a receptacle mounted therein, a print supporting means disposed in said receptacle having superposed sets of spaced strips forming the bottom thereof, the to set of said strips extending transversely 0 said axis and the bottom set extending substantially arallel to said axis, and means by which said print supporting means can be lifted from said receptacle.

15. A print handling apparatus having in combination, a tank mounted .to oscillate about a substantially horizontal axis, a receptacle mounted in said tank adapted to contain prints and liquid, a print supporting means disposed in said receptacle having spaced strips extending transversely of said axis adapted to support prints and having spaced strips disposed beneath said first mentioned' strlps and extending transversely thereof, and handle means secured to said print supporting means by which the latter can be lifted from said receptacle.

16. A print handling apparatus having in combination, a receptacle mounted to oscillate about a transverse axis, said receptacle adapted to receive liquid and prints and having converging end portions, a removable prmt supporting means in said receptacle having a bottom portion formed by spaced strips extending transveresly ofsaid axis, and means beneath said strips supporting the same above the bottom of said receptacle whereby said liquid and prints in said receptacle will be alternately moved toward said converging ends and said liquid will be deflected in a reverse direction substantially centrally of said receptacle so that said prints will be retarded in their movement toward said ends and said last mentioned means will cause said liquid to rise. between said strips and lift the prints.

17. A print handling apparatus having in combination, a receptacle mounted to oscillate about a transverse axis adapted to receive liquid and prints and having converging end portions, a removable print supporting means in said receptacle having a bottom portion formed by spaced strips extending transversely of said axis, and means beneath said stri s for causing the liquid to rise between sai strips when said receptacle and tank are oscillated.

18. A print handling apparatus having in combination, a tank mounted to oscillate about a substantially horizontal axis and having a drain outlet, a receptacle supported in said tank above the bottom thereof adapted to containliquid and prints and also having a'drain outlet, a print supporting means in said receptacle having an openwork bot tom, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle, and means for opening and closing said drain outlet of said receptacle at intervals to allow the liquid therein to run into said tank and out of the drain outlet of the latter whereby said liquid is periodically changed in said receptacle.

19. A print handling apparatus having in combination, a movable tank, a receptacle mounted therein adapted to contain prints and washing liquid, a second receptacle mounted in said tank adapted to contain prints and a fixing solution, and means for discharging the washing liquid from said first mentioned receptacle into said tank whereby said tank is flushed and any fixing solution spilled therein will be washed out and the temperature of said fixing solution will be controlled by said discharged washing liquid. 7

20. A print handling apparatus having in combination, an oblong receptacle having substantially semi-circular ends and mounted to swing about a transverse axis, a removable print supporting means in said receptacle having spaced members extending longitudinally of said receptacle for supporting the prints, said members being spaced from the bottom of said receptacle.

21. A print handling apparatus having in combination, a base, spaced means upstanding therefrom, ,a substantially horizontal pivot supported in said means, a tank mount- 5 ed to swmg about said pivot, a bracket depending from said tank, a motor mounted on 22. The structure set forth in claim 21, and

means connected to said bracket and adapted to be connected to the corresponding bracket of a similar adjacent machine.

23. A print handling apparatus having in combination, a receptacle adapted to oscillate about a pivot having asubstantially horizontal axis, mechanism for oscillating said receptacle, means at one side of said receptacle for delivering a stream of liquid thereto, said receptacle having a level determining outlet substantially at the opposite side thereof,

and a drain outlet at its bottom, and means for periodically opening and closing said drain outlet whereby the liquid in said receptacle is periodically changed.

24. The method of handling photographic prints which consistsinplacing the developed prints in a fiat substantially horizontal position in a receptacle containing an openwork portable print supporting device having a handle means thereon by which it can belifted when said device'is disposed in a receptacle containing a developer arresting solution, transferring said print supporting device by said handle means to a receptacle containing a print fixing solution, oscillating said receptaclerelatively to move said plates and solution and after a suitable period transferring said print supporting device by said handle means to a receptacle containing a washing liquid and subsequently removing the same therefrom whereby said prints are quickly and easily transferred and are not touched by the operator and the operators hands are not brought into contact with said solution or liquid.

25. A print handling apparatus having in combination, a supporting device having an openwork bottom for supporting the prints in fiat prostrate position, and having a handle means thereon, adapted to be placed in a receptacle containing a developer arresting solution, a receptacle containing a fixing solution in which said device is receivable, a second receptacle containinga washing liquid in which said device is receivable, said device being transferable from one receptacle to an other by said handle means whereby prints in said device may be transferred without being touched by the operator or without the ope-rators hands coming in contact with said solutions or liquid. 7

26. The method of handling photographic prints which consists in placing the developed prints in an openwork portable print supporting device adapted to support said prmts in flat prostrate position aving a handle means thereon, while said device is disposed in a receptacle containing a developer arrest-ing solution, transferring said prints in said device by said handle means to a receptacle containing a fixing solution, causing motion of said receptacle relatively to move said prints and fixing solution, and after a certain period, transferring said prints in said'device by said handle means to a receptacle containing a Washing liquid, causing motion of said liquid and prints and subsequently lifting said prints from said washing liquid in said device by said handle means whereby said prints are quickly and easily transferred from one receptacle to another without the prints being touched by the operator and without the operator 5 hands coming into contact with said solution or liquid.

' 27. A print handling apparatus having combination, a receptacle mounted to osclllate-about a transverse axis,

late about a transverse axis, said rece tacleadapted to receive liquid and prints an hav-- ing converging end portions, a print supporting means in said receptacle, and a plurality of spaced members of small cross section extending about the ends of said supporting means.

30. An apparatus for handling sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a tank movable about a transverse axis, a sheet supporting means in said receptacle comprising spaced members of small width at the bottom of said receptacle extending transversely of said axis whereby the sheets in the oscillations of said receptacle may slide on said members and will have a small amount of surface in contact therewith.

31. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain said sheets and liquid, means for oscillating said receptacle to agitate said sheets and liquid therein and automatic means for changing the liquid in said receptacle after a plurality of oscillations thereof.

32. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain said sheets and liquid, means for regularly moving said receptacle through a fixed cycle to agitate said sheets and liquid therein, and automatic means for changing the liquid in said receptacle after a'plurality of said cycles of movement.. i

33. An apparatus for treating sensitized photographic sheets having in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain said sheets and liquid, mechanism for imparting regularmovements to said receptacle, a movable member in said receptacle adapted to open and close an outlet therefrom, and means said rece tacle adapted to receive liquid and prints an havdisposed in a print treating solution, said receptacle having an openswork bottom so that said printsare supported on said bottom and having means above said solution by which it can be lifted, and after a suitable time transferring said receptacle by said means to another receptacle containing a washing liquid and subsequently removing the same from said. other receptacle by said means 10 whereby said prints are quickly and easily transferred and are not touched by the operator and the operators hands are not brought into contact with said solution or liquid.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. GLEN M. DYE. 

